02-01-02

I went to Kyoto on during this past three day weekend. It was brilliant. I wanted to share some of it with you. They will be, due to time restraints, straight exerpts from my journal. If I get a chance, I will come back and correct/update this entry.

I determined that my trip to Kyoto was a pilgramage - one to initiate the next stage in my stay in Japan - the stage that follows the hill that I think I have managed to climb. Thus it was a trip that had deep significance to my spiritual, emotional and intellectual developement.

The first place we went to was Kiyomizudera - translated it means pure water temple. It stands on a platform on a mountain overlooking kyoto - the view is brilliant. As is fitting to the temple name - I felt the main message from the temple was one of purification - of emptying. Upon arriving to the main temple, I encountered the first main lesson - There we, my travel companions and I went into the womb of the temple. One follows buddhist beads int eh dark - like the nothingness that proceeds birth or even existance. It was the void, in the even that will exists, one can consider it submission. It is in this state of utter darkness, and dependace on the string of beads that ones hand rests on, that a sacrit letter appears.The explanation that we were given at the begining of the sections asked that we follow the inner light of us - I think I can parallel that statement to following ones conscience. Anyway - it is said that when the light appears on the sanscrit letter - one is to make a wish. If it is done properly - the wish will come true. I don't know about the done properly part - but I made a wish and hope it will come true.

Another part of the temple - there was a bell that people rang before they prayed to the statue of Amida, kannon and fudomyo. I range this bell - and ws told that if one does not become empty like the bell - when God tries to touch us - we cannot resonate his will. We must become open, empty vessles for this will - then we can sing beautiful songs to the world.

The final part of the temple was the pure water. It is said that if one drinks this water - they become healthy for the rest of their lives. I drank the water - it reminded me of the manyt time I went up the hill at Chungpyung - it made me homesick for Chyungpyun - I think I will go this spring break. So - become empty first - then refill with pure water.

There is more - but I have to go to class - I will write more later. Before I go though - I want to write one more thing - the culmination of my trip. I walked across the Gojo bridge. I don't know if many know the story of the Gojo - it is the bridge where Ushiwakamaru fought Benkei - and won. Standing in the middle of the bridge - I felt a surge of power - but is was not the power of physical proweress, it was not the power of even will - it was the power of heart. I think it was becuase Ushiwakamaru had a heart large enough to swallow Benkei that Benkei was able to reciprocate such legendary loyalty. I must become such a warrior.

Anyway - that is all for now.

Take care. Thanks again for everything.

Take care then.

Much love to everyone. Take care

This is hanako signing out..